Knights Ferry

If you would like more information on rafting from Knights Ferry to Orange Blossom on the Stanislaus River, please call 800-829-7238 or visit RaftAdventure.com.

The most popular Stanislaus River rafting section is the section from Knights Ferry to Orange Blossom Park. This 8.5 mile section starts in the historic town of Knights Ferry, and flows westward to the edge of Oakdale, CA at Orange Blossom Park. Along the way, participants get a taste of class II rapids that stay family friendly, access to beautiful public parks, as well of views of many different types of wildlife.

Within the first 10 minutes of the Knights Ferry to Orange Blossom section of the Stanislaus River, rafters are tested by the class II Russian Rapids. This series of “haystacks”, or small waves of water, will get you wet, but are mild enough so that the whole family can handle them. The next few miles include views of the two bluffs area, where you can get up-close views of migratory cliff-swallows as well views of Lover’s Leap, a rock wall that extends over 200 feet above the edge of the river. Before the unofficial halfway point rafters will encounter “S-turn” rapid, which at high flow will provide class II thrills. Five miles into the trip rafters will encounter Horseshoe Park, a public park that includes access to restrooms, picnic tables, BBQ pits, and sandbanks to relax on if you feel so inclined.

From Horseshoe on, the river meanders past Honolulu Bar, another public access point, past dense local vegetation, and through beautiful local farmlands before finally reaching the takeout point at Orange Blossom Park. Orange Blossom Park, which covers a few hundred yards along the Stanislaus River, is a great place to unwind after your trip and enjoy a picnic or BBQ. Sites can be rented out from the Army Corp of Engineers, and there are multiple group sites for the public to enjoy that can accommodate groups of 50+.

Flows on this section of the Stanislaus River vary from 200 in summer to 1500 in the springtime, depending on rainfall totals in the year prior. Stanislaus River Rafting companies can be found here and trips are run commercially daily May through September, and group trips in April and October, if weather permits. Temperatures in the Knights Ferry Area range from highs in the 80’s in May to highs over 100 in the mid-summer months. Temperatures directly around the river, however, are slightly cooler due to the temperature of the Stanislaus River, which usually sits in the mid-to-low 50’s (which feels great in the summer!)